The administration of Pimpri Chinchwad started a large-scale demolition process last Saturday to level 36 unauthorised buildings erected adjacent to the Indrayani River flood-prone area in Chikhali. The demolition drive, launched in compliance with the order from the Supreme Court, began at 5:30 am under the close supervision of the police.
The PCMC hired 10 earthmoving machines to carry out the demolition process in defiance of the opposition raised by certain local leaders belonging to the BJP. The decision to carry out the demolitions was backed by the Supreme Court’s May 5 order, which confirmed an NGT ruling and denied a plea by a developer to prevent the demolitions.
Commissioner Singh explained that the demolitions were being carried out before the beginning of the monsoon season, as rules forbid conducting building demolitions from June 1. Commissioner Singh assured that demolition work is ongoing only until it meets the Supreme Court deadline.
Lawyers acting for the homeowners told the media that the Bombay High Court granted them an immediate hearing on Friday but denied granting their request for a stay. “Our appeal will come before the court on June 9, and the issue at hand relates to whether development took place on legally acquired land.”
Homeowners said that the developer intentionally misled them by advertising the land as suitable for residential development, and that they are not unauthorised. However, these residents claim that the water and electricity connections previously granted by the civic authorities indicate that the municipality acknowledged and endorsed the constructions.
The residential buildings constructed between the late 1990s and 2020 have been ordered by the NGT to be demolished. The decision also includes a requirement for the owners to pay ₹5 crore as environmental compensation.
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